Police report details Michigan football player Darryl Stonum's drunken driving arrest
When Michigan wide receiver Darryl Stonum was arrested for drunken driving last month, he not only had a suspended license, but failed to provide the registration or proof of insurance for the car, the University of Michigan police report says.
The report also says there was a 20-year-old woman in the car who had been drinking that night and was ticketed for minor in possession.
Stonum, 21, who is suspended from the team, was sentenced Friday in 15th District Court in Ann Arbor to two years probation after pleading guilty last week to operating while visibly impaired second offense.
He also received a suspended sentence of 365 days in jail, meaning if he violates probation, he could be put behind bars.
Under a plea agreement with prosecutors, a charge of driving with a suspended license is set to be dismissed provided Stonum successfully completes a strict sobriety court program.
Stonum
However, Stonum's legal issues aren't resolved. On Thursday morning, the day before he was sentenced, Stonum was ticketed by Ann Arbor police for driving with a suspended license.
The university police report recently obtained by AnnArbor.com provides new details on the May 6 traffic stop in Ann Arbor that led to Stonum's latest conviction.
It started at about 2:25 a.m., the report says, when officers saw a black Dodge Avenger with a Texas license plate traveling south on State Street with its fog lights on, but no headlights. The car was traveling "well below" the posted 25 mph speed limit and crossed the double yellow line, the report says.
Police caught up with it on Maynard Street near East William Street and an officer activated his lights, prompting Stonum to pull over.
Stonum showed the officer a Texas driver’s license, but failed to provide the registration or proof of insurance for the car. Court records do not indicate he was ticketed for not providing the required documentation.
Stonum smelled mildly of alcohol, the report says, and his eyes were glassy and bloodshot. His "speech was slow" and the officer had to repeat his questions to get answers, the report says.
Asked whether he had been drinking, Stonum said he was at Scorekeepers, a sports bar downtown, and had a couple of beers, but stopped drinking about 10 p.m., the report says. Stonum later was more specific, telling police he drank two beers and a Long Island iced tea while at the bar from 7 p.m. until about 1:45 a.m. or 2 a.m., the report says.
When officers did a computer check on Stonum, they determined that he was ineligible to drive in Michigan. Officers told Stonum to get out of the car so they could perform field sobriety tests.
Police say Stonum struggled with the tests. He could not keep his head still during the horizontal gaze test, the report says, lost count during the one leg stand and lost his balance on several occasions during the walk and turn. The report did say that Stonum's left ankle was sprained and he was taking pain medication for it.
Stonum submitted to a preliminary breath test that showed his blood-alcohol level was .13. In Michigan, it’s illegal to drive with a blood-alcohol level of .08 or higher.
Stonum was handcuffed and put in the police car. He told police that his female passenger could take the car, the report says. However, she told police that she had been drinking earlier that night and submitted to a preliminary breath test, showing her blood-alcohol level was .05.
She was cited for minor in possession and released at the scene, telling officers she would find someone else to take the car. The woman attends the University of Michigan and it's unclear how she knows Stonum. AnnArbor.com is not identifying her.
Roughly two hours after the traffic stop, two DataMaster breath tests were administered to Stonum, showing blood-alcohol levels of .13 and .12, records show.
Stonum, who is from Stafford, Texas, is entering his senior year with the football program. As part of Friday's sentence, he must submit to daily breathalyzer tests, random drug screens and is prohibited from driving for 45 days.
Michigan football coach Brady Hoke has said Stonum must fulfill all his commitments to the legal system and football program before being considered for reinstatement.
Lee Higgins is a reporter for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
Tru2Blu76
Mon, Jun 13, 2011 : 11:31 p.m.
Having made a public statement on Stonum's status, at least Coach Hoke knows he can't say, "I didn't know about it" to the NCAA or anyone else. That alone sets him apart from J. Tressel, the former coach at Ohio State Prison, er, University. Like others here, I do wonder just how far Hoke & U of M will go with Stonum. To me, Mr. Stonum looks like a lost cause and a poor bet for his or Michigan's future. I will be happy to be proven wrong about this, however.
kidmich
Mon, Jun 13, 2011 : 5:44 p.m.
"Michigan football coach Brady Hoke has said Stonum must fulfill all his commitments to the legal system and football program before being considered for reinstatement" I don't think Stonum's commitment, to the legal system, ends for another 2 years. Ergo, no more UofM football, for Mr. Stonum.
TruBlue
Mon, Jun 13, 2011 : 2:08 a.m.
I am not a fan of throwing everyone in jail. Give him community service. Make him attend AA. Make him lecture to incoming students about drink and driving.
Mike
Mon, Jun 13, 2011 : midnight
2nd drunk driving arrest? ouch! Also, who owns this car? It doesn't sound like Stonum did. This should be the point of a follow up by the NCAA.
EyeHeartA2
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 8:40 p.m.
Why are there more stories about this Stonum that Robert West. Is it because West is white and Stonum is Black?
EyeHeartA2
Mon, Jun 13, 2011 : 12:50 a.m.
I don't know. Makes about as much sense as all the race baiting going on in the hit and run story. I figured I would just hop on the bandwagon.
trespass
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 9:30 p.m.
Mr. West's case was a first offense and Stonum is a second offense plus a probation violation and a new offense for driving on a suspended license. Mr. West still got a significant amount of coverage, including posting his arrest video, so I don't think it is reasonable to think this is a racial issue.
D21
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 1:29 p.m.
Tater, I agree with your #2 and it would be better to kick him off the team as no player is above the law. Hoke, you listening? Stonum has had more than 2 chances to straighten up but hasn't. The players are looking at you.
Bob
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 12:57 p.m.
Just because you "can" print this doesn't mean you should. He is going through enough and it really isn't any of our business. I'm really disappointed in AA.COM
A2comments
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 11 a.m.
Getting cited AGAIN for driving with a suspended license says it all... Wonder if you can find out why his Texas license was suspended?
KeepingItReal
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 10:11 a.m.
Daryl, Daryl, Daryl!
tater
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 6:18 a.m.
A few comments here: 1. First of all, you don't have to be drunk to be a "drunk driver" under the current laws. It's all a game where the insurance companies and the courts make a lot of money. The punishments are actually unequal. If you are poor, a mistake that costs $5,000 is a lot harder on you than it is on someone who makes $200,000 a year. 2. That being said, the rules are the rules. We all agree to live by them. Getting caught once can make someone realize that what they perceive as drunk and what the court legally recognizes as drunk are two vastly different degrees of "drunkenness." Then, it is that person's responsibility to not put themselves in a compromising position again. Doing it a second time means you either have a problem, have no respect for authority, or have the worst luck in the world. Since Stonum was then caught for an alleged third offense, driving with no license after he already had his second DUI, it is safe to deduce that he has no respect for authority. 3. I think that the offense of driving on a suspended license while awaiting trial for a second DUI makes it apparent that Stonum has no respect for the laws or for authority. That might be the kind of people Mark Dantonio wants on his football team, but I really hope it isn't the kind of person Brady Hoke wants on his. In other words, if Stonum is convicted of driving on a suspended license while awaiting trial for a second DUI, and is allowed back on the team, Michigan is no better than Sparty. I certainly hope that isn't what happens here. It is better for both Stonum and Michigan to get a fresh start. Apparently, Stonum needs to go elsewhere before he will fully learn his lesson. I wish him well: just not with the University of Michigan.
Mike Bush
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 4:19 a.m.
its not like the guy took money or cars from boosters or beat up a hockey player or stole computer stuff.he will be allowed to play but on a short leash.he is just a college kid what college kid aint out there drinking?
RJA
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 2:54 a.m.
I am so OVER this story!!!!
Homeland Conspiracy
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 2:39 a.m.
U of M football players are Gods & should be able to do as they wish...they should be given a new car, all the cash they need, all the booze they can drink, free tattoos, & all the women they want. Don't forget the they are Gods!!! not like us at all. We shouldn't even look at them, just bow when they walk by & thank them when they crash into or run over us. oxoxoxo
trespass
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 2:02 a.m.
Is someone looking into his finances? Was it his car? Is it a newer car? He has court fines, probation fees, alcohol tests, etc to pay for. If he wants to drive after 45 days (which might be affected by his other driving on a suspended license charge) he needs to pay for an alcohol breath lock on his car, which is expensive. The judge told him to get a job to pay for all of this (she didn't seem to know that he was a football player). The University needs to be very careful that he doesn't get the University into more trouble with the NCAA by letting someone help him with money for any of this. Just because he is suspended it doesn't mean that the football program would be off the hook if he commits a violation.
Hailmary
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 11:41 p.m.
A man child that ignores the law in a dangerous manner, repeatedly. So, the Ann Arbor court system has been lenient on him and maybe coach Hoke brings the kid back even after many folks have said get him help and don't let him near t he team, at least for now. If this kid predictably gets behind the wheel again and kills, where does that leave Coach Hoke? I wouldn't stake my life or my families on this young mans judgement and apparent reckless flaunting of t he laws of the road. Is this harsh treatment, I was hit by a drunk driver behind the wheel and that was harsh treatment.
Keith
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 9:51 p.m.
This guy is getting off easy. I can only hope that Hoke will make sure he learns by Michigan Standards. Carr use to make players run up and down the stadium bleachers. I can only assume this will be used during his renewed modivation.
Dave
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 9:15 p.m.
Why would the officers cite him for no proof of insurance and no proof of registration?? They already got him for drunk driving ... that's all they needed to run his fines and court costs up to about $5,000.00 +, arrest him, and force him back into the legal system. Anytime someone is pulled over for drunk driving they were obviously doing something illegal like speeding, crossing the center line failing to yield or stop at a red light ... etc .... Once they get nailed for drunk driving they often don't end up getting the traffic ticket. The same way if someone commits two separate felonies ... they end up getting sentenced on the more severe felony, and the 2nd felony gets dropped.
Dr. Rockso
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 9:10 p.m.
This story line is old. It's been settled in the court system. Time for Ann Arbor Dot Com to move on. Try to find some real news.
Townie
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 4:41 p.m.
Hey, this and the run over duckies are all A2.com seems to have to boost circulation so you'll have to cut them a break.
Sallyxyz
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 9:08 p.m.
Two years probation and a suspended 1 year jail sentence? Not nearly enough. Why the plea deal? Send this guy to jail where he belongs so he can actually have some real consequences for his actions. He should NOT be allowed to play UM football. Period.
Are you serious?
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 3:08 a.m.
Once again this is the normal plea deal for this 2nd offense. He is in sobriety court for two years. It is a very tough and thorough program. Judge Creal will toss him is jail if he does not follow the probation conditions.
Ron Granger
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 8:43 p.m.
"Stonum showed the officer a Texas driver's license, but failed to provide the registration or proof of insurance for the car. Court records do not indicate he was ticketed for not providing the required documentation." -- If he was not cited, why not? Why should a multiple repeat offender get so many breaks? It'd be nice to hear about that from the city. Particularly given his apparent willingness to drive on a suspended license just before walking into court for his most recent 'wrist slap'. I think of friends who have gotten into similar trouble and they did not get nearly as many breaks. Maybe because they weren't athletes?
Are you serious?
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 3:07 a.m.
Not at all unusual to not get charged for minor traffic tickets when arrested for drunk driving. Even if he had been charged the traffic tickets would usually get dismissed when entering a guilty plea.
trespass
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 1:53 a.m.
It was UM campus police that stopped him. He may not have gotten the same breaks from AA police. The story does not say what year the car was. Did the car belong to him. If not who did it belong to. Remember what got Ohio State into trouble. Perhaps the campus police did not want to know the answers to these questions.